Written Answers Nos. 234-243
234. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address matters relating to the beef roundtable (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21133/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraA Quality Payment System (QPS) related to the beef grid was agreed between Meat Industry Ireland (MII) and the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) in 2009. The payment is based on the classification of the carcass in which a price differential is set between certain classification grades.
My understanding is that any additional bonus payments and the conditions attached to qualification for such payments are determined by processors and their retail customers. There are a number of conditions which pertain to such payments and may include age limits and restrictions on the number of movements allowed. These are commercial arrangements and my Department has no role in their establishment, nor in collection or analysis of the payments which are made.
However, as I have previously stated, if relevant parties do wish to undertake a review of the grid, I have offered the services of Teagasc to provide any technical assistance in this regard.
The Beef Roundtable was most recently convened in October 2018 and the date for the next session will be announced in due course. I am satisfied that farmers are well represented by a variety of farming organisations at the Roundtable. Written submissions to my Department from any stakeholder representative body requesting participation in the Roundtable will be considered in that context.
235. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the Environmental Protection Agency's eco-driving training will be delivered; the status of the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21010/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed that the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport is co-funding a research project with the EPA entitled "Eco-driving: Trends & Potential Impacts for Irish Heavy Duty Vehicles" on which Trinity College is the lead investigator. The objectives of the project are to evaluate the impacts of eco-driving programmes in the Irish HDV fleet focusing on identifying the best practises, analysing the immediate and long-term impacts of adaptation of eco-driving and developing simulation models to estimate the future policy implications. It is expected that the project will generate guidelines for adaptation and evaluation of eco-driving programs to reduce vehicular emissions from the Irish HDV fleet. The projects final report is due to be complete by mid-2020.
In November, I announced the seven projects that had successfully completed the Assessment Stage of the first Call for Applications under the Climate Action Fund. The seven projects, which includes the 3 Counties Energy Agency CLG project "Driving HGV Efficiently into Brexit", are currently in the Validation Stage which, once completed, will provide more detail in relation to the project outputs and timelines.
236. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 861 of 15 January 2019, the number of compressed natural gas public fuelling stations now open and operational; the locations in which they are based; the number planned and scheduled to open in 2019; the locations in which the scheduled stations will be based; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21012/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe delivery of 14 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) filling stations, as part of the Causeway Project co-funded by the EU Connecting Europe Facility, is an operational matter for Gas Networks Ireland.
I have been provided with an update on the current status of these stations by Gas Networks Ireland which is set out in the table below.
|
Location |
Status |
|
|
Station 1 |
Dublin Port |
In operation dispensing gas daily. |
|
Station 2 |
Exit 8, Cashel |
Planning permission in place - waiting electrical connection - planned completion Q3 2019 |
|
Station 3 |
Kinsale Road, Cork |
Programme progressing - Planned completion Q4 2019 |
|
Station 4 & 5 |
City North, Meath. BallySimon Road, Limerick |
Contracted - design in process |
|
Station 6, 7,8,9 |
Portlaoise, Tipperary, Kildare and Cork |
At final contract stage |
|
Station 10-14 |
To be confirmed. |
Negotiations in relation to locations are on going |
It should be noted that as these programmes have wide stakeholder groups and dependencies, some of which are beyond the control of Gas Networks Ireland, and therefore dates are subject to change.
237. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if consideration is being given to liaising with the local authorities under waste management and littering legislation to curb the persistent use of postering on lamp posts outside the electoral period in view of the ubiquitous presence of social media and local newspapers to publicise public meetings and events between elections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21019/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Litter Pollution Acts 1997 to 2009 provide the statutory framework to combat the litter challenge. With regard to posters, the primary purpose of the Acts is to reduce litter by prescribing periods for which public meeting and election posters may be displayed. Under the Acts, the primary management and enforcement response to littering, including oversight of the removal of posters and cable ties within the statutory timeframe, falls under the remit of Local Authorities.
A public consultation process on the control of postering for elections and referenda was engaged in by this Department in September 2008, to balance the need to provide information to the public with the management of the erection of posters. As a result of this public consultation Section 19(7) of the Litter Pollution Act 1997 was amended by the Electoral (Amendment) (No.2) Act 2009, to introduce a 30-day time limit prior to an election, referendum or public meeting taking place, during which posters can be displayed. Prior to this amendment, the relevant legislation had required that election posters be taken down within 7 days of an election, but provided no time limit for the period prior to an election within which posters could be displayed. Posters erected to advertise public meetings are permissible until the advertisement has been in position for 7 days or longer after the day specified in the advertisement for the meeting. Failure to comply with this legislation is an offence.
I am satisfied that the above measures, as outlined above, mitigate against the potential creation of litter and I currently have no proposals to alter this position.
238. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on whether market pricing across the aviation industry reflects the cost of carbon emissions in the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21020/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 2012, greenhouse gas emissions associated with flights operating in the European Economic Area (EEA), including domestic flights as well as those to and from third countries, are covered by the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS). Airlines are required to monitor, report and verify their emissions, and to surrender allowances against those emissions. Airlines receive tradeable allowances covering a certain level of emissions from their flights per year and must purchase allowances to cover any shortfall between their allocated sum of free emissions allowances and their actual emissions, as reported annually. The ETS is administered in Ireland by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Reforms to the ETS, adopted at EU level in 2018, are designed to strengthen the ETS for the 2021-2030 period. These reforms are intended to provide a much stronger price signal to encourage deeper emissions reductions in sectors covered by the ETS, including aviation.
To support the planned development of a global Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the EU agreed in 2014 to limit the scope of aviation in the EU ETS to flights within the EEA. CORSIA will come into effect in 2021 and aims to stabilise global aviation emissions at 2020 levels by requiring airlines to offset any emissions growth after 2020 by purchasing eligible emission units generated by projects that reduce emissions in other sectors. CORSIA is the first global market-based measure for any industrial sector and is one component of ICAO’s suite of measures in support of improving the environmental performance of international aviation. Responsibility for the implementation of CORSIA in Ireland is a matter for the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.
239. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if there will be a special purpose vehicle set up between an organisation (details supplied) and the ultimate investors; if so, the tax status of same; if it will be liable for corporation tax; if it will be a section 110 company; if a representative from his Department will be on the board of same; if his Department will have full sight of the financial accounts of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21096/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra240. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the tax structure and status of an organisation (details supplied); if it will be liable for corporation tax; if it will be a section 110 company; if a representatives from his Department will be on the board of the organisation; if his Department will have full sight of the financial accounts of the organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21097/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 239 and 240 together.
NBI Infrastructure Limited t/a National Broadband Ireland (NBI) is subject to Irish Corporation Tax and will not be a section 110 company.
The NBP Contract provides that the Minister may appoint a Director to the board of the company. A minimum of one other Director will be appointed by the Shareholders of NBI following an open and competitive selection process conducted by an external executive search firm. The number depends on the overall number of Directors. The remaining Directors will be appointed by the Shareholders of NBI.
The Department will have full sight of the financial accounts of NBI. The NBP Contract provides for detailed regular reporting from NBI to the Department across all aspects of performance including the provision of financial statements.
The equity of NBI will be invested in NBI via a holding company as would be typical for projects such as this. The holding company will be wholly owned by Granahan McCourt Dublin (Ireland) Limited, subject to the Minister’s special share in NBI.
The Holding Company will be subject to Irish Corporation Tax and will not be a section 110 company. The holding company and Granahan McCourt Dublin (Ireland) Limited will have agreements in place with the ultimate investors, Granahan McCourt Dublin (Ireland) Limited, Tetrad Corporation and McCourt Global LLC., in respect of both corporate governance and equity funding for the Project.
Holdco is an investment vehicle and the Minister will not appoint a Director to this Board.
The following revised reply was received on 21 May 2019
NBI Infrastructure Limited t/a National Broadband Ireland (NBI) is subject to Irish Corporation Tax and will not be a section 110 company.
The NBP Contract provides that the Minister may appoint a Director to the board of the company. A minimum of one other Director will be appointed by the Shareholders of NBI following an open and competitive selection process conducted by an external executive search firm. The number depends on the overall number of Directors. The remaining Directors will be appointed by the Shareholders of NBI.
The Department will have full sight of the financial accounts of NBI. The NBP Contract provides for detailed regular reporting from NBI to the Department across all aspects of performance including the provision of financial statements.
The equity of NBI will be invested in NBI via a holding company as would be typical for projects such as this. The holding company will be wholly owned by Granahan McCourt Dublin (Ireland) Limited, subject to the Minister’s special share in NBI.
The Holding Company will be subject to Irish Corporation Tax and will not be a section 110 company. The holding company and Granahan McCourt Dublin (Ireland) Limited will have agreements in place with the ultimate investors, Granahan McCourt Dublin (Ireland) Limited and Tetrad Corporation, in respect of corporate governance and equity funding for the Project.
Holdco is an investment vehicle and the Minister will not appoint a Director to this Board.
241. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of subcontracts an organisation (details supplied) will have to finalise before broadband will commence to be rolled out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21098/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Broadband Plan contract for the State intervention will be signed with National Broadband Ireland (NBI), a designated activity company resident in Ireland. NBI will be supported by a number of internationally experienced subcontractors, including KN Group, the Kelly Group, enet and Actavo among others. NBI is finalising negotiations on contracts with approximately 40 subcontractors to assist in the delivery of the NBP. In order to support deployment shortly after contract award it is anticipated that a subset of approximately 15-20 of these subcontracts will be required.
242. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he is taking regarding the impact of aviation on climate change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21020/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Aviation Policy commits Ireland to the development of a sustainable, resource-efficient aviation sector. The Policy recognises and supports actions relating to emissions and noise to mitigate the negative external impacts of aviation while facilitating the sustainable growth of the sector in support of business, tourism and air travel consumers.
In line with Resolutions of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) on climate change, Ireland continues to coordinate an Action Plan for Aviation Emissions Reduction. An updated Action Plan has been completed and submitted to ICAO on May 10 and is now published by my Department on its website: http://www.dttas.ie/aviation/publications/english/irelands-action-plan-aviation-emissions-reduction
The measures outlined in the Action Plan 2019-2023 at national level include ongoing programmes of fleet renewal by Irish registered airlines, moving to better fuel efficient engines and a range of air traffic management and airport operational improvements.
The Action Plan is the result of consultation across the range of aviation stakeholders and details actions by them, both at supra-national and national level, designed to mitigate the impact of aviation on climate.
Carbon (CO2) emissions from aviation have been included in the EU emissions trading system (EU ETS) since 2012. Directive 2003/87/EC as amended, requires all airlines operating in Europe, to record emissions (calculated on the basis of measuring fuel consumed), report and verify their emissions, and to surrender allowances against those emissions. The number of allowances is capped requiring airlines to either reduce emissions or purchase emissions credits. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is designated the competent authority for administering the EU ETS scheme in respect of aircraft operators in Ireland.
At its 39th Assembly in 2016 ICAO agreed to implement a Global Market Based Measure in the form of the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) to address any annual increase in total CO2 emissions from international civil aviation above the 2020 levels. It is the first such scheme agreed at international level for any industrial sector.
The scheme is designed to allow aircraft operators offset emissions through the purchase of credits from verified environmental projects in areas outside of aviation. The scheme will be implemented in pilot, voluntary and mandatory phases to 2035 – Ireland is taking part in the voluntary pilot phase from 2021 alongside the other 43 members of the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC). The EU Commission is in the process of adopting various provisions for the appropriate monitoring, reporting and verification of emissions for the purpose of implementing CORSIA via the EU-ETS acquis.
My Department is working closely with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment and the EPA on the implementation of CORSIA at national level. The EPA is actively engaging with airlines on the reporting requirements for both EU-ETS and CORSIA.
243. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when funding will be made available for a project (details supplied). [20998/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of local authorities, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from the Council's own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
Within the budget available to the Department, grant funding is allocated on as fair and equitable basis as possible. In this context, grants in the main grant categories are allocated based on the length of regional and local roads within a local authority area of responsibility, with account taken where appropriate of the local authority's own resources in terms of rates and other income. It is a matter for each Council to determine its priorities and decide its work programme taking available grant funding and its own resources into account. In this context I continue to emphasise to local authorities the importance of prioritising roads when allocating their own resources.
In the aftermath of the financial crisis there were major cutbacks in funding for the national, regional and local road network. This resulted in the severe curtailment in funding for road improvement grant programmes, including the Strategic Grant Scheme, in order to focus available funding on maintenance and renewal work.
The Building on Recovery Capital Plan 2016-2021 and the Capital Plan Review allocations mark a significant step forward in terms of restoring funding to the levels needed to maintain the road network in a “steady state” condition and allowing for some investment in road improvement schemes but it is going to take time for funding to build up to the required level. For now funding will largely continue to support the maintenance of the regional and local road network. While a limited number of improvement projects are scheduled to go ahead over the next few years, funding is not available to commit to additional schemes at this point. All available grant funding for 2019 has been allocated.
The National Development Plan does note that local authorities have plans the progress a range of projects on regional and local roads and includes examples of such projects. My Department will be liaising with local authorities in relation to possible future projects for development in the post 2021 period and the appraisal requirements in relation to such projects.
While there were major cuts in grant funding for the road network during the recession, there have been significant increases in grants in recent years. In this context Cork County has been allocated regional and local road grant funding of €50,465,240 in 2019. To date my Department has not received an application for works at Lakeview roundabout.
In so far as the matter relates to a national road as well as a regional road, as Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the planning, design, budget management and construction of individual national roads is a matter for TII, in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Noting the above position, I have referred the question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
